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Feds And Energy Innovators To Meet And Collaborate On Boosting Efficiency, Development

What’s being hailed as the first Northern Ohio Energy and Innovation Summit kicks off Monday morning in Cleveland. ideastream’s Brian Bull reports Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur is among those spearheading the event.

Kaptur calls northern Ohio a major force in energy development and innovation – from ArcelorMittal’s development of stronger, lighter steels used to make more fuel efficient cars… to new wind and water power exploration along Lake Erie. She says the summit will hopefully foster more innovations in the state.

“Certainly in the building sector, we have a long way to go make our structures more energy efficient,” says Kaptur. “But also in terms of energy production, we have a long way to go to try to help our companies develop the technologies that will help them save costs down the road.”

Kaptur adds the federal government can assist companies and utilities in those efforts.

Among those wanting that assistance is Rebecca Bagley. She’s CEO of NorTech, an organization that fosters development of advanced energy devices and practices. She says one way the federal government can help is with funding.

“….and the other,” continues Bagley, “is relationships with research and development to help products move faster to market. So when you think about this conference in particular, we’re bringing six national labs into northeast Ohio to really interact with our companies throughout the day. So they have expertise that our companies in northeast Ohio can utilize.”

Bagley says NorTech has identified five areas in Ohio she deems “energy sectors” that have the potential for $5 billion in market potential, and up to 9500 jobs by 2020.

More than 200 business and university representatives are registered for the event. U.S. Secretary of Energy, Ernest Moniz will be the keynote speaker.

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